Solo sorceror stats and race

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:42 pm

Just dug out IWD2 from a pile out of old games, and looking to solo as a sorc (had a blast long ago doing that in BG2).

Ive been playing NWN&NWN2 so im familiar with the 3e rules.

I could however use some assistance in choosing stats and race.

RACE:
Its either Aasimar(+1ECL), Drow(+2ECL) or human (+0 ECL).

Aasimar and Drow can reach 20 CHA, and the other bonus points can be redistributed. Im leaning towards Drow since when soloing i will get ALL the XP for myself, so the ECL shouldnt be a big deal. However, i do like the extra feat that humans get, but then again, IWD2 doesnt seem to have that many cool feats for Sorcerors. I would appreciate any comments

STATS:
Is there any need to have a reasonable high INT as a sorceror in IWD? Will you be cut off from alot of dialogue options or is it like in BG were it didnt matter at all? As far as i see i only need one skill (Concentration). I noticed that even with 3 INT i start with 4(6 if human) skill points. Will i gain the 1 skill point i need per level with 3 INT?

If no INT is needed, i would just get max CHA, min INT(3), and put the rest in DEX(gives AC) and CON(extra HP). Sounds reasonable?

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:57 pm

It's advantadgeous if you get 10 spellcraft so you can get the elemental feats like "spirit of flame" for elemental resistance and 20 percent extra damage. But you'll want to max out concentration so 10 int is recommend for this.
I'd try stats like 14-16-16-10-4-20 or 15-20-16-5-4-20.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 2:09 pm

kmonster wrote:It's advantadgeous if you get 10 spellcraft so you can get the elemental feats like "spirit of flame" for elemental resistance and 20 percent extra damage. But you'll want to max out concentration so 10 int is recommend for this.

Good point. How many skill points do you get per level? Would a Human with INT 3 get 2 skill points per level?(which would be sufficient).

I'd try stats like 14-16-16-10-4-20 or 15-20-16-5-4-20.

Doesnt the low WIS incur penalties on Will saves?

From those stats, i assume you would recommend either Drow or Aasimar?

PS: While i am at it, how is the feat progression in IWD2? Will it continue after level 20?

kmonster · Post by **kmonster** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:58 am

1) 1 skillpoint + int modifier. 2) Yes

2)Yes

3)Those stats can only be taken by drow

4)just like in the manual 5)Yes

PS: You don't need optimal stats or the optimal race or feats in order to solo the game with a sorc, you can build the sorc you like most.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:05 pm

I ended up with a drow: 10 / 20 / 14 / 12 / 4 / 20.

12 INT was necessary to provide 2 skill points per level.

The low STR is a bit annoying in regards to carrying capacity but the high DEX is very nice for AC and also allows me to attack decently with ranged weapons (if IWD2 is anything like BG2 this can be a boon even later on, due to Melfs Minute Meteors).

As to 1): It cant be 1 + int modifier, that would be a negative number with low int

I suppose its 1 + int bonus (if any).

As to 4), i dont have the manual any more. As i said, i found IWD2 among some old CD's, but i do know the feat progression is every 3rd level. I was just unsure what happened after level 20.

silverdragon72 · Post by **silverdragon72** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:34 pm

.

Soloing, I would definetly start with 2 Pal levels to get a quite good melee build that way and get access to the pal quest boni!

With a full party I would tend to aasimar, but when soloing you could also think about a drow to get access to MR - together with Cera Sumat you should be completly immune to magic later in the game that way!

Stat allocation is quite difficult, as you need quite everything.

Max. CHA at every price!

Taking the Pal levels you can ignore WIS (you will have great saves anyway) so WIS 6 should be enough.

INT is an all or nothing decision, as it doesn't matter if you have 11 or none!

DEX and CON should be above at least above average: 14, 16 or 18 as you will need a good starting AC, some HP and CON boosts concentration. Best is to max Dex, and have at least 14 or 16 Con.

STR depends on what you do with the other stats, but I wouldn't go for at least 10, better more, as you need to carry some stuff, being on your own!

.

silverdragon72 · Post by **silverdragon72** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:37 pm

ziphnor wrote:I ended up with a drow: 10 / 20 / 14 / 12 / 4 / 20.

12 INT was necessary to provide 2 skill points per level.

The low STR is a bit annoying in regards to carrying capacity but the high DEX is very nice for AC and also allows me to attack decently with ranged weapons (if IWD2 is anything like BG2 this can be a boon even later on, due to Melfs Minute Meteors).

As to 1): It cant be 1 + int modifier, that would be a negative number with low int I suppose its 1 + int bonus (if any).

As to 4), i dont have the manual any more. As i said, i found IWD2 among some old CD's, but i do know the feat progression is every 3rd level. I was just unsure what happened after level 20.

Didn't see this one before posting, would ignore the 2nd skill point and reduce INT and start with higher STR and CON!

.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:52 pm

silverdragon72 wrote:Didn't see this one before posting, would ignore the 2nd skill point and reduce INT and start with higher STR and CON!
.

STR is irrelevant, im not going to fight enemies in melee, im going to blow them up

Without the second skill point, i cant get Spirit of flame(and similar) without falling behind on Concentration, and Spirit of flame is a must. I wouldnt like to have low Concentration, its not fun to have spells interrupted.

So far playing as a drow seems very beneficial, the Spell Resistance is quite handy.

Ive played a bit into the game with my character, and it seems comfortable enough. I did consider whether some paladin levels would be interesting, but id rather wait (id also have to hack my alignment to do that

.

When does the paladin quests begin?

EDIT: Another important question i forgot:
How is the spell progression for Sorcerors? How many spells of each level do they end up with in total? In BG2 it was 5 of most of the levels but that was the old rules.

silverdragon72 · Post by **silverdragon72** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:10 pm

ziphnor wrote:STR is irrelevant, im not going to fight enemies in melee, im going to blow them up

Without the second skill point, i cant get Spirit of flame(and similar) without falling behind on Concentration, and Spirit of flame is a must. I wouldnt like to have low Concentration, its not fun to have spells interrupted.

So far playing as a drow seems very beneficial, the Spell Resistance is quite handy.

Ive played a bit into the game with my character, and it seems comfortable enough. I did consider whether some paladin levels would be interesting, but id rather wait (id also have to hack my alignment to do that .

When does the paladin quests begin?

EDIT: Another important question i forgot:
How is the spell progression for Sorcerors? How many spells of each level do they end up with in total? In BG2 it was 5 of most of the levels but that was the old rules.

at the pass (recovering the sword) and gives a CHA boni!

STR is more for carrying then for fighting!

.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:18 pm

Just took a look at the spell progression tables (at sorcerors place) and i think ill stick with a pure sorceror. I like casting lots of spells

However, im hard pressed to choose level 2 spells. Are the stat boosting spells worth it(i assume they dont stack with other stat boosts?)?.

I Knock necessary?

Right now i have Melfs AA and Mirror Image (insanely powerful spell!) and im trying to figure out what to choose as im going from level 6 -> 9 (been squatting a bit, but need the levels for the bridge fight).

Btw, am i correct that Dispel Magic is the only spell capable of removing others spell casters defenses, and therefore essential? (i cant find Mordenkains Disjunction or similar spells mentioned anywhere).

silverdragon72 · Post by **silverdragon72** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:36 pm

ziphnor wrote:Just took a look at the spell progression tables (at sorcerors place) and i think ill stick with a pure sorceror. I like casting lots of spells

However, im hard pressed to choose level 2 spells. Are the stat boosting spells worth it(i assume they dont stack with other stat boosts?)?.

I Knock necessary?

Right now i have Melfs AA and Mirror Image (insanely powerful spell!) and im trying to figure out what to choose as im going from level 6 -> 9 (been squatting a bit, but need the levels for the bridge fight).

Btw, am i correct that Dispel Magic is the only spell capable of removing others spell casters defenses, and therefore essential? (i cant find Mordenkains Disjunction or similar spells mentioned anywhere).

I think the +4 on CHA boni is much better, as it gives extra spells to - and AFAIR even more then the last 2 Sorc levels!

Besides you get at least +10 on all your saves and immunity to fear!

Won't even think a second about this decision!

For spells just have a look in my powergaming guide, you will find a detailled sorc build there!

.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:05 pm

silverdragon72 wrote:I think the +4 on CHA boni is much better, as it gives extra spells to - and AFAIR even more then the last 2 Sorc levels!

I was refering to spells known, not how many can be cast per day. The former is not affected by CHA. Btw, why do you get +4 CHA?

Besides you get at least +10 on all your saves and immunity to fear!

+10 on saves??

For spells just have a look in my powergaming guide, you will find a detailled sorc build there!
.

Where is that?

silverdragon72 · Post by **silverdragon72** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:11 pm

[quote="ziphnor"]Btw, why do you get +4 CHA?

+10 on saves??

QUOTE]

AFAIR +2 CHA for the pal quest, 2 times one in normal one in HOF

Pal special ability: CHA bonus on saves!

.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:21 pm

AFAIR +2 CHA for the pal quest, 2 times one in normal one in HOF

Im only interested in normal mode, im not going to play again in HOF.
But still, is that a permanent bonus or just an item?

Did you say the quest was given as early as when you are asked to recover the moonblade. Damn, im much farther than that.

Pal special ability: CHA bonus on saves!
.

Had forgotten about that one

I suppose i should get those 2 pal levels at some point.

silverdragon72 · Post by **silverdragon72** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:25 pm

ziphnor wrote:Im only interested in normal mode, im not going to play again in HOF.
But still, is that a permanent bonus or just an item?

Did you say the quest was given as early as when you are asked to recover the moonblade. Damn, im much farther than that.

Had forgotten about that one I suppose i should get those 2 pal levels at some point.

permanent bonus, just recover the sword at the pass (graveyard) and no, it's not the moonblade!

.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:32 pm

silverdragon72 wrote:permanent bonus, just recover the sword at the pass (graveyard) and no, it's not the moonblade!
.

Just to get this straight, i am currently just arrived at the 'Horde Fortress', so its not too late?

Ah, wait, since im a Drow and not an Aasimar i will take a 20% XP penalty if i multiclass to paladin...

silverdragon72 · Post by **silverdragon72** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:41 pm

ziphnor wrote:Just to get this straight, i am currently just arrived at the 'Horde Fortress', so its not too late?

No!

But you won't find it directly, you wil get some hints, and it will be quite a difficult battle to get it!

.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 3:55 pm

silverdragon72 wrote:No!
But you won't find it directly, you wil get some hints, and it will be quite a difficult battle to get it!
.

Interesting, but still i dont like the prospect of a 20% XP penalty

If i had chosen an Aasimar(and therefore no XP penalty) instead i wouldnt have my Spell Resistance, but then again i would be one level higher(which could have been used for a paladin level) and have alot higher saves. Still, its fun being a Drow, people in IWD2 actually react to it.

silverdragon72 · Post by **silverdragon72** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:01 pm

ziphnor wrote:Interesting, but still i dont like the prospect of a 20% XP penalty

If i had chosen an Aasimar(and therefore no XP penalty) instead i wouldnt have my Spell Resistance, but then again i would be one level higher(which could have been used for a paladin level) and have alot higher saves. Still, its fun being a Drow, people in IWD2 actually react to it.

Soloing, the EXP-penalty shouldn't be a problem at all, especially if you squat!

.

ziphnor · Post by **ziphnor** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:14 pm

silverdragon72 wrote:Soloing, the EXP-penalty shouldn't be a problem at all, especially if you squat!
.

Okay, ill have to take your word for it, its been a long time since ive played IWD2 and ive never soloed it.

But there is no reason to take the pal levels earlier than necessary, when will be my last chance (which chapter, and what area)?